| Here's my fearless prediction for 2004: the floodgates will open, if only a crack, and more jobs will be created. A cautious uptick is already in progress, so this isn't much of a revelation.
But the real news won't be about job creation, it'll be about job movement. People have been waiting for the dynamics of the labor market to reverse and there's a powerhouse of pent-up demand. Once the trend is clear, there'll be an unprecedented exodus of frustrated, overworked cube-dwellers in search of new opportunities.
Musical Chairs
For the last several years, the job market has been a cosmic game of musical chairs. Most of them filled by folks hanging on tight with both hands. Throngs hovered over the few available opportunities, hoping to snag an empty seat when the music stops. More often than not, someone else got there first.
The randomness of the process has discouraged everyone, job seekers and jobholders alike. If you were downsized or outsourced, it's been difficult to stay focused and positive when rejection is the norm. If you were one of the "lucky" ones kept on afterwards, your reward has been a doubled workload and the implicit threat of being "next" if you didn't rise to the challenge.
When control rests with employers, through oversupply of labor (domestic and foreign) and pressure to satisfy stockholders through increased productivity/profitability, the game of musical chairs continues. However, once there's an increase - even a small one - in job creation, the pendulum will start to swing in the other direction.
You're Only as Good as What You Do Next
What can you do to get ready? Make one little New Year's resolution … it's totally free and doesn't require giving up carbohydrates. But it does require change on a massive proportion.
Let go of all negative thoughts about your entire worklife.
Whether you're a discouraged job seeker or dispirited employee, find some way to let go of your pessimism. It doesn't matter whether you've earned the right to these feelings or not. They're damaging to your future and you must free yourself for the sake of your career.
It's so easy to become angry and defensive when you're dealing with constant rejection or a crushing workload. The positive feedback required to achieve a 180-degree attitude turnaround probably won't happen … unless you give it to yourself.
Recently, my friend Colleen gave me the mantra I'm going to pass on here. It was a late night at the office and I was disappointed that I hadn't totally achieved some self-imposed stretch goals. I was being hard on myself and she pointed out that I'd internalized the "what've you done for me lately" mindset.
"That's ridiculous," she said. "You're not only as good as what you've done lately - you're only as good as what you do next." It was an inspiration.
And a revelation. This simple statement empowers you to view yourself in a completely different light. You're not just the sum of your previous experiences; you're the person who's eager for new challenges because of them.
Think about how you express yourself in an interview. Or how you craft your resume. There are lots of people out there who can meet even the most stringent job requirements. How do you differentiate yourself from other candidates with similar credentials?
Define yourself by what you're going to do for your next employer. Speak directly to your own value proposition.
Your Value Proposition
A value proposition is a set of facts, assumptions, and perceptions upon which someone forms a concept of worth. Each job candidate has a value proposition that the employer judges relative to all other candidates. Hiring decisions aren't based only on meeting a long list of requirements attached to a job description. With competition as fierce as it is, companies are looking for energy, enthusiasm and confidence in addition to "must have" skills.
To promote your value proposition, project how your unique set of skills and experiences can help your next employer reach its own goals and objectives. Research the company, understand its business and consider how you could bring them competitive advantage.
Start by asking yourself, "why would I hire me over someone else with my same background." If you can't convince yourself, be assured that you won't be able to convince the interviewer either.
Imagine yourself as a valued employee of that new company. How do you solve problems? Improve profitability? Create efficiencies? Identify previous accomplishments that could conceivably apply to prospective employers and practice explaining how you were instrumental in achieving them. Be prepared to speak to lessons learned and insights gained so that interviewers can see how you can translate experience into future action.
Above all, be positive. About the opportunity, about the future, about yourself.
More
Never apologize. When you believe that you're only as good as what you do next, you don't need to explain away previous experiences or lack thereof. You know your own worth and it's okay if there's not a fit between you and a potential opportunity. Being positive brings the confidence to wait for the right situation to let you be good at what you'll do next.
Questions about job search or other career topics? Write to me at Jamie@jobcircle.com.
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Jamie Fabian spent more than 15 years as a human resources executive before changing careers to become a senior project manager for a growing IT consulting company. Now in management consulting for a large Pharma company, Jamie would like to be seen as a hybrid of Tom Peters, Tom Jackson, and Tom Wolfe, but spends too much time working, driving carpool and watching mindless TV to write more than this column. You can contact Jamie with questions and comments at jamie@jobcircle.com.
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